Efficient, sustainable and low-cost buildings are vital to offer as many people as possible around the world decent housing which will reduce consumption of the planet’s resources.
Building efficient constructions at optimized costs |
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Efficient constructions must address a key, two-fold challenge: global demographic growth and the accompanying shortage of housing, particularly for the least well-off, in light of global environmental issues. For instance, it is estimated that 4 billion people around the world do not have access to decent accommodation.
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Inexpensive efficient and sustainable buildingsAs part of the EEB
(Energy Efficiency of Buildings) project, the WBCSD conducted a survey of
construction industry professionals' perception of the additional costs of
"green" buildings. EEB Report (P.D.F - 1800 Kb)
Lafarge glossaryLCA, sustainable construction, fly ash, slag, clinker, industrial ecology, CO2, additives, granular stacking, etc. See the glossary for all definitions of technical terms. |
Our answers to reduce constructions costs |
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Through its research programs, its partnerships..., Lafarge is offering optimized-cost efficient solutions. Many Lafarge products also make it possible to reduce constructions' usage and maintenance costs:
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Testimonial 1 : Agilia®: effortless concrete
Since 2000, Agilia® has been the leader in self-placing and self-leveling concretes.
Its fluid texture makes it effortless to spread: Agilia® flows smoothly into the smallest gaps in framework. It improves working conditions on the worksite, by eliminating the vibration stage, a demanding and noisy process for workers and local residents. This considerably reduces the worksite's social and environmental costs.
Lafarge is the only producer in the world able to control production of self-placing concrete everywhere to the same quality.
Testimonial 2 : Chronolia®: control over time
Launched in 2007, Chronolia® offers a very fast increase in resistance. Framework can be removed from the concrete after just 4 hours of hardening (compared with 12 to 20 hours with a traditional concrete). Particular advantages of this are that it makes it possible to:
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Chronolia® combines the ease of use of a fluid concrete and very high mechanical resistance as well as optimizing every stage in work onsite.
Testimonial 3 : The Ductal® Joint Fill solution: resistance, durability and fluidity
In North America, Ductal® Joint Fill is
a solution for on-site pouring of joints for bridge systems which has better
resistance and is more user-friendly than traditional concrete. So whether on
sites for the construction of new bridges or to repair cracks, the Ductal®
Joint Fill solution makes work on-site easier and ensures that structures are
more durable.
Furthermore, using this solution it is now possible to carry out repairs
rather than rebuilding: the potential savings are massive!
Testimonial 4 : PLAtec®: customized low-cost decoration
PLAtec® is a range of gypsum products for interior design.
These gypsum products, exclusive to Lafarge, are prefabricated to order according to the customer's specifications. They can be used to create decorative elements and design unusual interior spaces, pillars, structures, friezes for suspended ceilings, etc.
PLAtec® solutions offer many advantages in addition to this great creative freedom, such as:
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- speed,
- impeccable finishes and control
- waste optimization...
... all for a much lower cost than producing equivalent elements directly onsite!
Testimonial 5 : La Dura® plasterboard: a new generation of plasterboard
Plasterboard now meets the most diverse technical and aesthetic requirements. Whether painted or tiled, interior or exterior - their characteristics mean they comply with the requirements of sustainable construction:
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La Dura® demonstrates great solidity and excellent mechanical resistance.
